Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A story unlike any other, Freddie and Violet will renew your faith in human kindness, friendship and love.

I try to reserve 5 stars for stories that will stay with me for years to come. Sometimes, one gets so caught up in a story we think it will last forever. But it fades. This one will not fade.

To be honest, it started out slow for me. The uniqueness of the storyline kept me going. And then, BAM, I was hooked. I had to know Freddie’s story. What was his past? What caused his pain and how did he end up where he was?

I can’t answer these questions for you. You have to get inside of him. Meet Violet and spend a night in the attic.

Read this book. See the pain we overlook everyday as we self absorb in our own lives. Find hope in the people who dare to take chances and look beyond themselves. I was left starry eyed and longing for more.

What a beautiful tale of friendship out of the most unusual of circumstances. Freddie was such a lovable character, and one I was rooting for since the first time he walked into Violet’s house. I so badly wanted him to move past his hurt to realize his potential in this world. And then there’s Violet, like many other girls that age who are shunned by people they thought were friends due to distance or social norms. I did not expect the ending, although it’s what I’d secretly hoped for all along.

Perfect read for young adults!

I really enjoyed the story line, and parts of The story very relatable to the problems teenagers face.

The way they story tackles homelessness is really good and made me think as a grown adult about it more, so hopefully bring this awareness to the younger generation will be really good.

It was an easy read and I was engrossed right from the start.

I will be recommended this to friends, especially those with children the book is aimed for

This is the kind of book I would have adored when I was fifteen. I could definitely see the appeal for younger YA readers and I think this book and author has clear potential. Whilst I enjoyed this book, it did read very young for me but that’s probably because of the age range this book is targeted at.

I thought the concept was good and the premise had a strong storyline. It reminded me of the less creepy version of Tarryn Fishers book and this was good.
I liked how the author tackled homelessness and the subject was approached both sensitively but didn’t shy away from the topic either.
The characters were developed and relatable and I liked how the romance side took a backseat and they both built a friendship first.

This is definitely the kind of book I’d recommend for younger readers and it was a sweet and fast read.
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Seriously loved this book! This is an emotional story following the perspectives of two young people, Violet and Freddie. It covers a wide variety of sensitive subjects including homelessness and drug taking. Was sad when it came to an end. Definitely going to purchase this book as a gift for friends.

Having been on a real non-fiction kick at the moment to prep myself for up-coming exams, this book was truly a breath of fresh air. It is a beautifully written YA novel, with engaging and interesting characters (which is honestly something I think multiple YA novels I’ve read in the past have somehow managed to miss the mark on) and the story really tastefully tackles many different issues like homelessness, mental health issues etc. Really, really enjoyable read and I can’t wait to get my hand on a physical copy to lend out for my friends to read to!

A great book for YA. The storyline was inventive. I liked both the main characters and felt they acted and spoke how teens often do. A good balance of humour, sadness and coming-of-age issues. Recommended.

The story of Freddie and Violet.

Freddie being homeless was hard to read. Seeing how he suffered with being invisible to everyone when he was seen as unkempt. Then learning how and what it took to be seen.

Violet sacrificing for her brother and finding out relationships are not always what they appear to be.

This book was heartbreaking to me. It is tough knowing there are people out there similar to Freddie that needs a Violet in their life. I would recommend reading this book.

This is a wonderful book. I finished it in almost one sitting, reading late into the night. It tackels themes of grief and kindness well, and also gives some valuable insight into homelessness, (in particular, how people see - or don't see- the homeless, and how reactions vary according to perception). The two main characters, Freddie and Violet are beautifully created and despite some minor implausibilities, the story is nonetheless easy to fall into and believe in. I was rooting for both characters from early on in the story, (I initially expected Violet to be an unlikeable character and was pleasantly surprised by her) and was impressed by the strong role models both characters present without being stereotypically good. Violet lies; Freddie steals, but both do it for good reason and I was on their side throughout. Their is much sadness in the book, but the overwhelming message is friendship. love and compasion, kindness of strangers, and understanding. I highly recommend this book and it should be given shelf space in every school library.

What a beautiful story.
It's been a while since I read any YA and well, I enjoyed every second of this.

Freddie's story is heart-wrenching and touching and warm and just... ooof I want to give him a cuddle! The relationship he builds with Violet and her family is so sweet. I genuinely would read a sequel to this because I so want to see them living a happy life.

Written in 3rd person narrative, but with a dual POV (alternating chapters), we get to see how both Freddie and Violet develop and help each other grow. Freddie learns to open up and accept help. Violet (who comes from a wealthier background) learns to see past outward appearances and the meaning of true friendship.

"Being homeless, that's kind of what you become: invisible. In a way, that's the worst thing about it."

Although not going into too much detail, the book accurately and honestly tackles the issues of homelessness, depression, grief, and bullying. Not something I would usually pick up, but I'm so glad I did. Thurlbourn's style of writing is clear with steady pacing, wonderfully descriptive (she picks out little details from everyday scenes), and emotive.

"Surely, people wouldn't give more money to someone who looked as if they needed it less?"

A definite recommendation from me!

Thank you Net Galley for an ARC copy.

With raw emotion from the first page The Bot Who Lived in the Ceiling is a poignant examination of grief and how it manifests in different ways.

Freddie, abandoned by his father and step mother, is living on the streets just trying to scrape by while shouldering an unknowable pain. In a chance encounter he witnesses the Johnson family leaving for vacation. When Violet Johnson’s notebook stops the door from closing properly Freddie only means to close the door but is easily tempted by the warm empty house. What follows is a heartbreaking story of people coming together and falling apart. Thurlborn does an excellent job at painting the intricacies of grief, homelessness, depression, and addiction.

This is an emotional story following the perspectives of two young people, Violet and Freddie. Violet is a girl who recently moved schools and has parents who argue quite frequently. Freddie is a homeless boy who finds himself living in Violet’s house while she and her family are on vacation. When they come back sooner than expected, Freddie becomes trapped in the attic. The two grow close after Violet discovers Freddie.

Due to its short length, this was a quick read. However, this doesn’t mean it was completely lighthearted. As mentioned before, this story does deal with homelessness, but sexual assault and grief were also topics discussed in this novel. What I loved about this book is the importance it placed on such topics, the lovable characters, and the relationship between them.

I thought this book was lovely. Freddie was my favorite POV because he was the underdog and I related to that. The only thing that I did not like was the narration. I just couldn’t fully get into it because of it. But the storyline was really cute and I would probably try to read again but in physical form because I might be able to get into it better. But overall it was a lovely book.

Freddie is a homeless teenager whose family has rejected him. He feels hopeless and unworthy. Violet had been happy and popular until she had to leave her friends and go to a new school and is bullied. Due to circumstances that you can read about, Freddie winds up living in Violet's attic, although she and her family are not aware that he is there. When they do meet, they slowly become friends and help each other with their problems. The story is heartwarming and it takes on the issues of bullying and homelessness.

I got to read this as my first e-book ARC from NetGalley and honestly, it may be one of my favorite reads of 2021 so far. It’s such a wholesome, heart-wrenching book. The characters, their developments, their relationships, the plot, the writing, all of it comes together to create this beautiful story showing us the hardships that we can be faced with at any age, and how they could be overcome by chance, meeting that one right person at the right time.  

Freddie is just the most adorable, caring character that your heart goes out to as he struggles with some inner demons of his own. Violet is a sweet and compassionate teenager, juggling a new school and trying to keep her family from falling apart while also trying to give the boy in the ceiling something that resembles a normal life, a home. 

This book deals with a lot of issues; homelessness, family, friendship, bullying, trauma, grief, mental health. It makes you feel for the characters and aware of these things that people face on a daily basis, that the suited person you pass on the street could have a huge amount going on in their lives, be really struggling, and hiding it all behind a smile.
It’s both heart-warming and heart-breaking, I cannot recommend it enough!

Thank you NetGalley for letting me discover this beautiful book!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange of an honest review.

This was an enjoyable read. Very interesting story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I loved Freddie and Violet and the way their friendship and relationship developed. I love that the way they really began communicating was through books.

I loved the themes of friendship, love, hope, forgiveness and new beginnings.

Loved this book about being homeless, loss, grief, family, friends, and new beginnings. Told from alternating point of views, Freddie and Violet, we find Freddie is homeless after being kicked out of his house, and Violet, whose house Freddie ends up in accidentally when he sees the family leave for vacation. When the family comes back, Freddie finds a spot to live in in the ceiling. Eventually Violet finds out he’s up there and makes it easier for him to live there and tells no one. Violet and Freddie become friends! and they help each other through time times. Can Freddie turn his dream of being a carpenter apprentice into reality and find his own place?

Freddie is homeless and ends up accidentally living in Violets house when he sees their family leave on holiday but leave the front door open. He continues living there in the attic when they come back early. After saving Violet from a boy pushing himself on her, violet and Freddie become friends. This book follows their friendship and blossoming relationship.
I think it's a great portrayal of homelessness especially in youth. It really made me aware of how I treat homeless people, and what I can do to be better. I loved both main characters and the development of Violet's family, I loved that the family had their own issues with Jamie's speech problems and her dad's issues (no spoilers!)
Yes, the ending was predictable, but I'm happy it ended how it did.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily